KOTA KINABALU: The 94 branded handbags seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as part of a corruption case involving two Sabah utility department officials is worth an estimated half a million ringgit.
It is understood that the handbags belonged to one of the officer’s wife.
“According to our estimate, the 94 branded bags of various brands are valued at about RM500,000 ,” MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki told Malay Mail Online when contacted
The bags consisted of internationally known labels like Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Hermes, Christian Dior, Burberry and Louis Vuitton.
Investigators tasked with adding up the value of the items believed to be have been purchased with the ill-gotten gains are still in the process of going through the array of gold and precious stone jewelry, luxury watches and 127 land grants.
Yet to be included is the value of the nine luxury vehicles and five safety deposit boxes which have to be opened at a bank in accordance to certain regulations.
“We are still working on it. The MACC will thoroughly inspect the land ownership of the suspects involved as well. A property declaration order will be issued to the suspects under Section 36 of the MACC Act,” he said.
The MACC recently arrested two officials of a state agency for alleged corruption and the next day, announced an RM114.5 million haul including RM52 million in cash allegedly obtained from kickbacks involving RM3.3 billion worth of federal projects.
The staggering wealth was stored in the offices and homes of the two, some in the nine luxury cars and in six safety deposit boxes, expected to contain millions of ringgit in each.
The 54-year-old director, his 51-year-old deputy, 55-year-old businessman brother who carries the title Datuk, and his accountant, 50, are currently under remand until investigations are completed.
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